1829-1879. 


Fiftieth  Anniversary  j 

'F  I 

OF  TJIF  ' 


OF  DANVILLE,  ILL., 


C()XTA1N1XG  AXXIVEIKSAHY  SEKMOX  BY  THE  PASTOR, 
REY.  A.  E.  IHiOOKS.  IHSTORY  OF  SABBATH 
SCHOOr.,  ]5Y  EBEX  H.  PALMER. 

i  REMIX  ISCEXCES  OF  REY.  EXOCH  KIXGSBURY,  BY  MRS. 
I  AXXIE  M.  SAYAX.  REMIXISCEXCES  OF  THE  DE- 

I 

j  (/EASED  ORIGIXAL  MEMBERS,  BY  MRS. 

I 

I  FAXXTE  KIXGSBURY. 

i 

I 

MARCH  8th  AND  9th,  1879. 


D.ANVILLE,  ILLINOIS. 

COMMFIKTAT.  S’lTLVM  PIIINTING  ESTAliLTSIlMKNT, 


•  -I:; 


^fi.- 


i  • 


r  .  V 


4  • 


y 


/ 1 


i 


f 


£ 


1 


f 


m 


\ 


i 


I 


•* 


'V  • 


1 


i 


» 


■  I' 


\  • 


V 


•  f*  ■ , 


, 


f 


*•,  r 


f 


•..V 


■  A 


'I 


I 


r 


i 


.  ¥ 


1.^ 


\  » 


r 


/ 


A 

/ ,  ^ 


A 


/ 


J 


f 


\ 


/ 


•* 


•1 


f 


V 


> 


\ 


\ 


\ 


} 


f 


/ 


s 


\ 


'  -  I 


/ 


A  . ; 


1829-1879. 


Fiftieth  Anniversary 

OF  THE 


OF  DANVILLE,  ILL., 

CL^XTAIXIXG  ANNIVERSARY  SERMON  BY  THE  PASTOR, 
REY.  A.  L.  BROOKS.  HISTORY  OF  SABBATH 
SCHOOL,  BY  EBEX  H.  PALMER. 

REMINISCENCES  OF  REY.  ENOCH  KINGSBURY,  BY  MRS. 
ANNIE  M.  S^YAN.  REMINISCENCES  OF  THE  DE¬ 
CEASED  ORIGINAL  MEMBERS,  BY  MRS. 
FANNIE  KINGSBURY. 

MARCH  8th  and  9th,  1879. 


DANVILLE,  ILLINOIS. 

CO.MMEKCIAL  STEAM  PRINTING  ESTABLISHMf^NT. 


I 


/•'S’^'Sp 


^S5. 

F  5  (  ^  -f 


Social  Reunion. 

The  exercises  connected  with  the  observance  of  the  Fiftieth 
Anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  tliis 
(*itv,  were  coinnnuiced  with  a  social  reunion  on  the  evening  of  the  8th 
of  INIarch,  in  the  lecture  room  and  parlors  of  the  church.  Quite  a 
number  of  former  members  from  abroad  were  present,  but  no  one  of 
the  former  ministers.  After  a  most  sumptuous  repast,  served  by  the 
ladies  of  the  congregation,  and  a  thoroughly  social  and  delightful  re¬ 
newal  of  old  accjuaintances,  the  ])astor  read  several  specially  inter¬ 
esting  letters  from  former  pastors  and  members,  especially  from  Revs. 
.IA^^ES  W.  Stark  and  William  R.  Palmer,  and  from  Prof,  (now^ 
I  vev.)  Norman  Prentis.  On  .this  occasion  the  pastors  of  the  other 
evangelical  churches  of  the  city  were  present  with  their  wives  and 
contributed  much  to  the  social  pleasure  of  the  reunion. 


> 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2018  with  funding  from 
University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign 


0 


https://archive.org/details/fiftiethannivers00firs_1 


Anniversary  Sermon 


liY  THE  PASTOR,  RPZV.  A.  L.  RKOOKS. 


Which  is  (he  church  of  the  living  God,  the  pillar  and  ground  of  the  truth. — 
1  Timothy,  3:  15. 

At  the  point  where  the  straits  of  Gibraltar  enter  into  tlie  Medi¬ 
terranean  sea,  on  the  coast  of  Spain,  stands  one  of  the  ancient  pillars 
of  Hercules.  In  English  history  it  bears  the  name  of  Gibraltar^  It 

S  4/ 

has  been  recognized  ever  since  it  came  into  the  possession  of  the 
Moors  in  the  eiglith  century  as  the  strongest  fortification  of  the 
world.  After  more  than  six  hundred  years  of  possession  by  the 
Moors,  it  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  English  in  1713,  and  during  that 
century  it  held  up  the  crown  and  glory  of  England  against  the  allied 
powers  of  France  and  Spain  in  the  most  terrible  siege  ever  recorded 
in  history.  It  has  been  declared  to  be  impregnable  by  all  the  milita¬ 
ry  and  naval  forces  of  the  world.  Its  ancient  name,  the  Pillar  of 
Hercules,  is  the  fitting  symbol  of  its  imperishable  strength  and  of  the 
power  and  glory  of  the  nation  under  whose  guns  the  commerce  of 
the  Mediterranean  must  pass.  It  is  the  significant  presence  of  the 
military  prowess,  the  political  pre-eminence,  the  royal  dignity,  and  the 
solemn  sovereignty  of  England  amid  all  the  commotions  and  political 
,  convulsions  that  are  shaking  Spain  and  Italy  and  Greece  an  I  Turkey, 
for  her  frowning  fortress  casts  its  shadow  upon  every  man  of  war  or 
ship  laden  with  commerce  that  asks  a  passage  into  the  western  ocean. 
It  is  the  pillar  and  ground  of  the  English  throne  to  all  the  East. 
From  its  capital  streams  the  ensign  that  announces  the  supremacy  of 
English  law  and  English  civilization.  Here  are  the  institutions  of  a 
limited  monai-chy,  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  of  untramineled  edu- 


ration,  not  only  represented,  but  enforced  and  protected.  Here  the 
legislation  of  the  English  government  rests  for  the  sublime  force  that 
makes  it  significant  and  impressive  to  her  own  and  all  other  peoples. 

It  is  possible  my  comparison  of  the  church  of  the  living  God  to 
the  English  Gibraltar,  and  the  idea  of  her  comparative  significance  to 
the  moral  and  spiritual  condition  of  men,  may  seem  extravagant  to 
some  of  YOU  to-dar.  I  know  there  are  manv  who  make  the  social 
and  moral  condition  of  the  people  of  our  times  depend  more*  upon 
the  school  house  than  upon  the  church,  more  upon  the  press  than 
upon  the  pulpit,  more  ujwn  the  measures  of  the  ascendant  political 
party  than  upon  the  principles  wdiich  the  church  of  the  living  God 
maintains.  But  you  will  indulge  me  at  this  time  in  speaking  of  the 
church  in  the  light  in  wdiich  the  apostle  speaks  of  it  to  his  son  in  the 
gospel,  Timothy.  He  calls  it  ‘^The  church  of  the  living  God;’’  in 
which  the  living  God  is  worshiped;  wdiere  his  institutions  for  the 
direction,  the  rule  and  sanctification  of  the  human  family  are  authori- 
tatively  set  up.  The  human  race  are  the  creatures  of  God,  He  is 
responsible  for  their  government,  for  all  suitable  and  necessary  au- 
thoritv  for  their  o’uidance  to  the  realization  of  the  gi'eat  end  for  their 
creation.  His  will  and  pleasure  of  his  creatures  have  been  revealed 
in  varied  forms  and  by  various  institutions  from  the  earliest  period  of 
their  existence.  As  the  infinite  and  eternal  Sovereign  of  the  race  he 
has  instituted  his  church,  as  the  place  of  his  abode  among  men,  as 
the  external  and  effectual  means  of  manifesting  his  perfections  of 
character  and  o-overnment  among:  men.  It  stands  in  similar  relation 
to  the  human  family  to  that  of  the  capital  city  and  government  build¬ 
ings  to  the  people  of  the  nation.  It  is  the  seat  of  the  divine  authority, 
as  the  capital  is  the  seat  of  the  national  authority.  In  the  church  the 
divine  authority  over  the  race  is  maintained,  as  the  authority  over  the 
nation  is  maintained  at  the  capital.  Here  the  unchangeable  law  of  tlie 
living  God  is  preserved  and  proclaimed.  Here  his  government  is  made 
tangible  to  the  understanding  and  conscience  of  men.  It  does  not 
represent  a  limited  and  mere  human  authority.  It  is  not  a  human 
institution,  but  the  church  of  the  living  God,  among  and  for  the  })res- 
ervation  of  the  divine  authority  over  men,  established  to  assert  the 


/V 

/ 

supreme  law  aiul  love  of  God  for  the  control  and  sanctification  of 
men,  for  their  preservation  to  the  end  for  their  creation.  It  is  the 
visible  body  into  which  he  has  come  by  his  invisible  Spirit,  and 
through  whose  activity  he  is  making  his  will  and  pleasure  known  to 
the  human  family.  It  is  the  ])illar  that  uj)holds,  or  lilts  uj),  the  truth 
through  all  the  ages  of  the  world,  just  as  the  Pillar  of  Hercules,  or 
the  promontory  of  Gibraltar,  holds  the  authority  ami  government  of 
the  Eno’lish  throne  to  the  commerce  of  the  Mediterranean. 

o 

We  readily  appreciate  the  great  truth  that  the  church  is  the  only 
special  and  divinely  ordained  support  of  the  truth  among  men.  Her 
doctrines  are  the  formulated  and  fundamental  law  of  God  for  the 
government  of  men  as  subjects  of  his  kingdom.  The  cliurch  stands 
sublimely  distinct  and  imperial  among  the  institutions  of  the  world, 
the  pillar  of  truth,  the  truth  of  the  sovereignty  of  God  in  all  human 
affairs,  over  all  human  governments,  holding  all  accountable  to  the 
throne  of  God,  dependent  upon  the  favor  of  God,  setting  forth  the 
government  which  is  imperative  for  the  present  and  final  life  and 
blessedness  of  every  accountable  creature.  The  church,  as  the  pillar, 
holds  UJ)  the  arch  on  which  the  temple  rests;  holds  up  the  truth  on 
which  the  sovereio’nty  over  and  the  final  salvation  of  the  human 
family  rests.  The  truth  sustains  a  similar  relation  to  the  moral  gov¬ 
ernment  of  men, ‘to  their  rational  and  spiritual  life  and  blessedness,  to 
that  which  the  natural  sun  sustains  to  the  material  governnumt  and 
blessedness  of  men.  It  is  the  b'o-ht  of  their  moral  and  immortal  life; 
and  the  church  is  the  divinely  ordained  pillar  to  hold  up  that  truth, 
to  make  its  lio-ht  and  heat  known  and  efiective  for  the  welfare  of 

it' 

men.  It  is  no  province  of  the  human  government,  however  its  legis¬ 
lation  and  administration  may  be  modified  by  the  truth,  to  hold  up 
the  truth.  It  is  no  province  of  science,  of  the  knowledge  of  the 
material  universe,. to  hold  up  the  truth,  the  moral  and  spiritual  truth, 
which  are  for  the  moral  and  sj^iritual  control  and  salvation  of  men. 
The  church  of  the  living  God  is  the  pillar  and  ground  of  the  truth. 
By  the  teachings  of  the  church  the  sovereignty  and  grace  of  God  are 
published  to  the  world.  In  the  church  his  law  and  love  are  made 
known.  The  church  proclaims  the  eternity  of  his  power  and  godhead 


8 


over  men,  holds  the  understanding  and  the  conscience  of  the  human 
family  with  the  conviction  of  their  responsibility  and  dependence. 
Her  teaching  is  the  acknowledged  law  of  God.  Our  Savior  said  ; 

Whatsoever  thou  shalt  bind  on  earth  shall  be  bound  in  heaven; 
and  whatsoever  thou  shalt  loose  on  earth  shall  be  loosed  in  heaven.” 

He  that  heareth  you  heareth  me  ;  and  he  that  despiseth  you  despis- 
eth  me  ;  and  he  that  despiseth  me  despiseth  him  that  sent  me.” 

By  the  teachings  and  ordinances  of  the  church,  the  kingdom  of 
God  becomes  present,  tangible  and  effective  for  the  government  and 
salvation  of  men.  The  church  makes  supreme  over  the  understand¬ 
ing  and  conscience  of  men  the  immutable  righteousness  of  God.  By 
all  her  teachings  and  ordinances  she  holds  the  understandings  of  men 
to  the  sovereign  necessity  of  righteousness  in  all  the  thought  and  pur- 
j)Oses  of  men.  The  church  holds  up  this  sublime  perfection  of  the 
infinite  Creator  for  the  enlightening  and  control  of  all  human  govern¬ 
ments  in  their  legislation,  in  their  administration,  for  the  fundamental 
|)rinciple  in  their  internal  and  international  life,  bringing  all  their 
commerce,  their  untold  industries,  their  civil  and  political,  their  social 
and  domestic  institutions  under  the  necessary  control  of  this  ultimate 
law  of  right. 

You  will  perhaps  discredit  this  sublime  position  and  responsi-  « 
bility  of  the  church  of  the  living  God.  But  will  you  ask  yourself 
whence  has  come  this  general  consciousness  of  this  sovereign  law  in 
the  national,  social  and  domestic  life  of  the  people?  Has  it  been 
evolved  by  the  necessities  or  the  experience  of  men?  Is  it  the  fruit 
of  continued  legislation?  Is  it  the  result  of  secular  education?  Is 
it  the  inevitable  expression  and  manifestation  of  the  attributes  of  our 
natural  life?  or  is  it  the  direct  revelation  of  the  living  God  in  his 
word  and  in  the  life  and  works  of  his  incarnate  Son?  It  certainly 
does  not  exercise  a  controlling  power  over  the  laws  and  customs  of 
the  people  to  whom  the  scriptures  and  the  Son  of  God  are  unknown. 

It  is  not  developed  under  the  dominion  of  j)aganism  and  superstition, 
and  we  unhesitatingly  reaffirm  that  the  Christian  church  holds  and 
proclaims  the  great  law  of  righteousness,  which  guides  and  controls 


0 


the  civilized  world  in  its  h^g-islation  and  in  its  vast  industries,  and  its 
social  and  domestic  institutions.  The  churcli  is  the  jiillar  and  th(i 
oround  of  tliis  o-n^at  truth,  of  the  sovei’eio-n  and  eN’erlastiim-  rio-ht- 
eousness  of  God.  And  we  may  als<.^  allirm  that  what  the  church  of 
the  livino-  God  is  to  the  great  race  in  its  needs,  the  individual  church, 
that  is  loyal  to  its  great  head,  is  to  the  limited  community  in  which 
its  ministi-ies  are  maintained.  The  church  that  thoroughly  vindicates 
her  title  to  the  church  of  the  living-  God  is  not  an  inoperative  and  in¬ 
significant  presence  in  the  community,  but  is  tlie  pillar  which  liolds 
up  the  truth  t’lat  modifies  the  whole  habit  and  expression  of  the 
oommunitv.  It  were  as  blasphemous  to  deny  to  the  church  of  the 
living  God  the  vital  force  that  restrains  and  modifies  the  whole  leg¬ 
islative  and  social  manifestation  of  the  community,  as  to  deny  to  the 
sun  the  lio-ht  and  heat  that  rule  the  material  world  and  modifies  all 

O 

its  conditions  and  products.  That  force  may  ojierate  silently  and  un¬ 
obtrusively,  nor  as  elfectively  as  it  might  do  with  a  higher  consecration 
of  her  powers  to  the  immediate  objeid  of  redeeming  the  community 
from  its  vices.  But  it  is  the  most  marked  and  significant  and  all-per¬ 
vasive  power  over  the  conscience  of  the  community.  The  Christian 
ministry  is  the  divinely  ordained  instrumentality  to  i^ublish  to  the 

%/  %.'  4/  i. 

world  the  jierfections  of  the  divine  government.  The  church  is  pro¬ 
claimed  bv  the  Lord  himself  to  be  “  the  light  of  the  world,”  the  light 
];y  which  the  human  family  shall  guide  itself  in  all  the  responsible 
duties  and  relations  of  life.  In  every  service  and  sacrament  of  the 
Christian  cliurch,  the  rigliteousness  of  the  divine  and  immutable  gov- 
(u  nment  of  God  over  men  is,  with  more  or  less  distinctness,  proclaimed 
to  us.  The  force  of  this  great  truth  operates  directly  ujion  every  par¬ 
ticipant  in  the  service,  and  indirectly  upon  the  whole  community, 
through  the  modified  life  and  character  of  those  who  engage  in  the 
service  of  the  church.  The  genei-al  character  of  the  community  is 
the  result  of  the  loyalty  and  integrity  with  which  the  church  upholds 
the  sovereign  righteousness  of  God. 


And  equally  true  is  the  declaradon  that  the  church  is  the  only 

X  */ 

divinely  ordained  institution  for  the  ])roclamation  of  the  love  of  Gcd. 
She  is  the  pillar  that  holds  up  this  great  truth  to  the  sinful  and  per- 


10 


world.  Nature  in  her  infinite  fullness  and  cTandeur,  in  her  iin- 
measurable  provision  for  the  needs  of  the  mortal  life,  proclaims  the 
goodness  of  God,  but  the  hig-her  and  holier  attribute  of  love  shines 
upon  us  only  through  the  teachings  and  ordinances  of  the  church  of 
the  living  God.  The  most  distant  reach  of  material  science  has  never 
touched  or  discovered  the  emotions  of  the  great  Creator.  Human 
legislation  has  never  presunxed  to  establish  the  great  principle  of  love, 
but  only  of  equity,  of  justice.  Secular  education  is  largely  forced  to 
ignore  the  consciousness  of  this  divine  perfection.  All  the  beneh- 
tence,*  the  incomprehensible  blessing  to  the  human  family,  of  the  love 
of  God,  is  the  result  of  the  teachings  and  institutions  of  the  church. 
Silence  the  teaching's  of  the  church  and  you  remove  the  only  pillar 
that  holds  up  the  love  of  God  to  a  sinful  and  perishing  race.  What¬ 
ever  significance  that  sublime  perfection  of  the  Deity  has  for  a  fallen 
race  onlv  magnifies  the  significance  of  the  Christian  chiu’ch.  Wlmt 
necessity  of  the  human  family  rises  to  such  immeasurable  jtroportions 
as  that  for  the  love  of  God,  the  Crc'ator?  AVhat  great  act  in  the  his- 
turv  of  the  race  sends  such  light  and  life  through  eveiw  age  and  everv 
clime,  as  the  crowning  act  of  GodA  love,  in  the  gift  of  Christ  to  the 
atoning  sacrifice  of  the  cross  on  calvarv?  Ask  vourselves  what  were 
t  he  mental  and  moral  condition  of  mankind  without  the  light  and 
1  )ve  that  stream  from  the  cross  of  Christ.  What  is  the  condition  of 
the  absolutely  pagan  peoples  of  the  world?  Compare  Christian  Eu¬ 
rope  and  America  with  the  tribes  of  Central  Africa  and  New  Guinea, 
and  ask  yourself  what  is  the  great  hu'ce  that  has  lifted  the  one  part 
of  the  human  familv  out  of  the  degradation  and  idolatrv  and  mourn- 
ful  corruption  of  the  other  into  a  high  and  glorious  civilization.  Does 
nut  the  consciousness  of  the  race,  inhd3l  and  Christian,  ascribe  it  all 

to  the  revelation  of  the  love  of  God  bv  the  Christian  church?  What 

«/ 

other  institution  among  men  is  established  to  proclaim  this  infinite 
])erfectio]i  of  our  Creator,  and  what  truth  has  such  inconceivable  sig¬ 
nificance  to  a  race  in  the  peril  of  final  destruction  as  this  truth  of  the 
unfathomable  love  of  God?  What  jiower  can  be  so  mighty  to  con¬ 
trol  and  redeem  a  moral  and  accountable  race,  under  the  conscious¬ 
ness  of  sin,  as  the  jiower  of  a  supreme  and  holy  love?  And  this  is 
the  s})ecial  and  exclusive  province  of  the  church  of  tlie  living  God  to 


11 


j^roclann  tliis  l(3A"e.  It  is  lier  ministry  whom  God  lias  ordained  'to  pub' 
lish  to  the  sinful  race  his  love.  Clear  as  the  sun  on  the  meridian  has 
tlie  church  made  the  love  of  God^  and  in  its  light  the  race  has  been 
coming  to  repentance  and  to  emancipation  from  the  ]>ower  and  judg* 
ment  of  sin.  We  may  sav  further  that  so  far  as  the  exalted  arts  and 

V  V 

industries  and  commerce  of  the  world  are  the  fruit  of  a  Christian  civ' 
ilizatioip  they  have  had  their  inception  and  growth  under  the  teach* 
ino-s  of  the  church  of  the  livins;  God.  Ask  vourself  in  what  nation 
originated  the  art  of  printing  upon  metal  and  movalile  type,,  of  poe* 
try,  the  uae  of  the  steam  engine,  of  the  railroad,  of  tlie  loom,  of  the 
labor  saving  implements,  &c.  These  are  the  productions  of  a  Cliris* 
tian  age  and  clime  under  the  genial  inspiration  to  the  human  mind 
and  heart,  of  the  constant  proclamation  of  the  love  of  God  by  his 
1»rue  church.  Take  away  that  encouragement  from  tlie  heart  of  the 
race  and  they  relapse  into  the  condition  of  the  jiagaii. 

But  what  is  true  of  the  church  as  the  pillar  on  which  rests  the 
li’reat  truths  of  the  soverei«'ii  and  eternal  rio-hteousncss  and  love  of 
God  is  equally  true  of  the  church  as  the  pillar  on  which  rests  the  truth 
of  the  infinite  orace  of  God,  which  makes  the  riirhteousness  and 
love  of  God  available  for  an  undcservino-  race.  What  does  the  human 
family  know  of  the  grace  of  God  but  by  the  teachings  of  the  church 
of  the  living  God?  Grace  is  the  exercise  of  unmerited  favor.  It 
<loes  not  override  righteousness,  but  delays  the  execution  of  right* 
eousness,  interposing  opportunities  for  reconciliation,  proposing  terms 
for  the  recovery  of  forfeited  privileges  and  mercies.  It  jirovides  a 
free  gift  to  the  offender  by  which  the  righteousness  of  the  offended 
law  may  be  sustained  and  the  offender  saved  through  his  faith  in,  and 
exceptance  of,  the  free  gift.  What  does  the  human  family  know  of 
the  possibility  of  everlasting  life  and  joy  at  the  right  hand  of  God, 
except  through  the  teachings  of  the  church?  What  does  natural  sci¬ 
ence  teach  of  the  recovery  of  an  accountable  race  from  the  judgment 
<lue  to  their  sins?  What  do  the  civil  statutes  of  the  nations  know  of  the 
grace  that  substitutes  the  voluntary  sacrifice  of  the  infinite  Son  under 
the  sentence  of  the  offended  law^  to  the  offender  giving  another  oppor¬ 
tunity  for  everlasting  life?  Law  knows  nothing  of  mercy  even,  much 


12 


less  of  gTace.  Secular  learniiig^,  as  controlled  by  State  authority,  is 
not  allowed  to  enter  the  domain  of  theoloo'v,  and  this  most  sio-nifi- 
cant  and  inestimable  truth  is  made  known  to  mankind  alone  by  the- 
teachinfTS  and  institutions  of  the  church  of  the  livino*  God.  She  is 

O  O 

the  ])illar  and  ijround  of  that  o^reat  truth  without  which  it  would  be 
impossible  to  awaken  hope  in  the  human  heart.  As  the  bitten  Is- 
laelites  must  kK>k  to  the  brazen  serpent,  lifted  up  by  Moses  in  tlm 
wilderness,  for  life,  so  to  Christ,  the  great  propitiatory  sacrifice  for 
the  sins  of  the  world,  as  he  is  held  up  l>y  the  church,  the  human  fami¬ 
ly  must  look  for  everlasting  life.  For  whatever  of  value  there  is  to 
mankind  in  these  sublime  and  so-vereio-n  truths  of  the  riofhteousness., 
the  love,  and  the  grace  of  God,  they  must  look  to  the  church  of  the 
living  God.  For  whatever  of  force  they  shall  have  in  the  develop- 
iiient  of  the  attributes,  and  the  formation  of  the  convictions  and  char¬ 
acter  of  men,  we  must  tlepeiid  upon  the  teachings  and  practice  of 
the  church,  and  whatever  of  these  grand  elements  the  chinch  has  ta¬ 
ken  on,  must  be  ascribed  to  the  church  of  God.  The  c^hurch  is  the 
abiding  place,  the  point  of  emanation  for  these  vital  forces.  From 
the  church  they  are  set  in  motion  for  the  modification,  the  reoenera- 
tion,  the  sanctification  and  final  salvation  of  men.  The  great  moral 
and  religious  forces  that  are  constantly  operating  for  the  commercial 
])rosperity,  the  political  integ-rity,  the  social  purity,  and  tlie  domestic 
]:)eace  of  the  community  are  set  in  motion  by  the  church  of  the  living 
(xod.  As  sio-nificant  of  the  riohteousness,  the  love,  the  oTace  of  the 
almighty  Creator,  are  the  teachings,  tlie  services,  the  sacraments  of 
the  true  church,  as  is  the  flag’  that  waves  from  the  impregnable  Gib¬ 
raltar  of  the  strength,  the  sovereigntv  and  the  civilization  of  the 
English  nation. 


xVnd  now,  beloved,  you  are  prepared  to  estimate  something  of 
the  significance  and  worth  of  the  church,  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of 
whose  org'anizatioii  we  celebrate  to-dav.  AVe  ai’rogate  nothing  when 
we  sat’  that  it  is  a  church  of  the  living  God,  that  it  has  been  a  pillar 
and  ground  of  those  great  fundamental  and  vital  truths  bv  which  the 
city  ill  which  it  is  located  has  been  blessed  and  prospered.  AVe  do 
not  hesitate  to  sav  that  through  these  fifty  years  the  influence  of  this 


/ 


13 


church  has  been  very  significant  and  benign  upon  all  the  material  and 
social  and  relia’ious  interests  ol’  the  citv.  Her  teachino's  have  been 
in  accordance  with  the  wisdom  and  righteousness  and  love  and  grace 
of  God.  They  have  served  to  hold  in  check  the  tendencies  to  law¬ 
lessness  and  crime;  they  have  enforced  public  morality,  stimulated  the 
desire  for  good  government,  for  commercial  integrity,  for  social  puri- 
ty.  Conscience  has  been  enlightened  and  its  judgment  enforced.  It 
has  carried  the  peace  and  piety  of  our  holy  religion  into  many  of  the 
homes  of  the  city.  It  has  restrained  the  youth  from  the  follies  and 
crimes  that  afflict  the  homes  and  communities  where  church  influen¬ 
ces  are  not  in  the  ascendant.  It  has  drawn  to  our  city  some  of  the 
best  and  most  permanent  of  our  business  and  social  element.  It  hr.s 
exerted  a  siirnificant  influence  on  the  educational  interests  of  our 
community.  It  has  been  the  conservator  of  good  order  and  peac(', 
but  especially  and  supremely  has  it  exerted  a  mighty  influence  in 
maintaining  these  great  and  fundamental  doctrines  by  which  alone  is 
it  jiossible  to  lead  men  out  from  under  the  dominion  and  condemna¬ 
tion  of  sin.  It  has  done  a  work  for  this  city  which  no  mere  secular 
institution  could  have  done.  It  has  been  more  to  the  material,  social 
and  Christian  prosperity  than  any  single  industry  could  have  been. 
It  has  been  more  to  the  happiness  and  welfare  of  our  families  than 
any  or  all  of  the  worldly  endowments  of  a  gracious  providence  could 
have  been  without  it.  It  has  brouo-ht  to  us  the  best  returns  of  all 
the  investments  we  have  made  of  our  worldly  substance,  and  it  has 
brought  us  into  the  highest  and  noblest  fellowship  of  the  pure  on 
earth  and  of  the  sinless  in  heaven. 

The  church  was  organized  on  the  8th  day  of  March,  1820,  and 
consisted  of  the  following  eight  persons,  viz:  Asa  K.  Palmer,  M.  I)., 
.losiah  Alexander,  Elizabeth  Alexander,  Mary  Ann  Alexander,  Solo¬ 
mon  Gilbert,  Sul)mit  Gilbert,  Lucy  Gilbert  and  Parmela  Tomlinson. 
There  is  one  only  among  you  to-day  who  joined  in  the  original  or¬ 
ganization  fifty  years  ago.  Her  mind  follows  that  path  again  to-day. 
down  which,  with  holy  intent,  lead  by  the  embassador  for  Christ,  that 
little  band  of  eight  sincere  souls  followed  to  the  log  school  house, 
where  with  solemn  rites  and  earnest  prayer,  this  church  of  the  living 


u 


\ 


God  came  into  beino’.  She  has  watched  its  oTOwth,  known  its  histo- 
ry,  sympathised  with  its  trials,  rejoiced  in  its  prosperity.  To  this 
service  she  comes  to-da}^  with  secret  emotions  into  whicli  we  cannot 
enter.  The  venerable  father  that  held  her  hand  that  day  has  long 
since,  with  the  blessed  mother,  entered  into  the  fellowship  and  glorv 
of  the  Great  Head  of  the  church  in  the  New  Jerusalem.  One  by 
on.e  she  has  seen  each  other  one  of  the  oriohial  eioJit  receive  the 
summons,  “Come  up  higher.”  Her  father,  Solomon  Gilbert,  was  the 
first  of  the  original  band  to  enter  into  rest.  He  survived  the  organi¬ 
zation  twentv-eight  vears. 

Dr.  Asa  K.  Palmer  was  the  first  ruling  elder,  elected  at  the  time  of 
the  organization  of  the  church.  He  was  a  man  of  earnest  purpose,  true 
consecration,  liberal  and  self-sacrificing’  in  his  service  of  this  church. 
He  studied  the  interest  of  the  church,  and  often  from  his  own  means 
supplied  what  he  felt  was  necessary  to  the  good  of  the  church.  He 
was  conscientiously  devoted  to  the  relig'ious  cultivation  of  the  fami- 
lies  of  the  church.  He  was  a  man  of  constant  religious  activity  and 
of  great  prac/tical  wisdom,  and  his  name  and  graces  have  remained 
with  us  unto  this  day  in  the  worthy  son  ui)on  whom  has  fallen  his 

t/  c/  1 

mantle  and  his  office  these  many  yeai-s.  The  eldership  has  been  in- 
creased  from  time  to  time  bv  the  election  of  Josiah  Alexander,  Solo- 
mon  Gilbert,  James  M.  Culbertson,  Eben  H.  Palmer,  AVm.  P.  Chand¬ 
ler,  James  P.  Brown  and  Benjamin  Crane,  up  to  March,  1876,  at 
which  time  the  church  adopted  the  term  service  in  place  of  the  per¬ 
manent  eldership,  and  the  existing  session  resigned  and  the  following 
persons  were  chosen  to  constitute  the  session,  viz:  Win.  P.  Chandler, 
George  B.  Yeomans,  Benjamin  Crane,  James  Risk,  E.  H.  Palmer  and 
Jas.  M.  Dougherty.  By  rotation  in  office  the  jiresent  session  has  come 
to  consist  of  William  P.  Chandler,  Eben  H.  Palmer,  George  B.  Yeo¬ 
mans,  James  Risk,  William  A.  Clements  and  Joel  E.  Field.  The  first 
deacons  were  A.  G.  Webster  and  Samuel  Fosselman,  and  since  the 
term  service  A.  A.  McDonald,  E.  H.  Palmer  and  Elias  Good,  the  last 
two  being  the  present  deacons.  The  church  was  organized  by  Rev. 
Samuel  Baldridge,  who  served  them  half  of  the  time  for  one  year. 
They  were  then  without  stated  sujiply  until  January,  1831,  when 


lo 


Rev.  Eiiocli  Kingsbury  took  the  charge.  With  tiie  exception  of 
brief  intervals,  in  which  the  pulpit  was  occupied  by  Revs.  Nathaniel 
Kingsbury  (his  brother),  Orrin  Cooley,  Charles  H.  Palmer,  William 
R.  Palmer,  James  W.  Stark,  William  A,  Hendrickson,  David  R. 
Love  and  Charles  P.  Felch,  he  occupied  the  pulpit  for  nearly  thirty- 
seven  years  from  January,  1831,  to  October,  1868,  when  he  ceased 
from  all  earthly  labor  and  took  the  crown  of  rifrhteousness  which  the 

*✓  o 

Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  gave  him  in  that  day.  Of  those  who  have 
served  the  church  in  its  pulpit  up  to  the  time  of  the  present  incum¬ 
bent  all  have  passed  away,  exce])t  Rn^s.  William  A.  Hendrickson. 
.James  W.  Stark,  William  R.  Palmer,  Charles  P.  Felch  and  David  R. 
Love.  Rev.  William  R.  Powers,  who  came  between  father  Kings¬ 
bury  and  the  present  pastor,  finished  his  work  in  the  ministry  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  entered  into  his  reward  some  three 
years  since.  The  present  pastor  was  called  and  entered  upon  the 
labors  of  his  office  in  December,  1870. 

There  have  been  received  into  the  cl'.urch  since  its  ornranizi.tiou 

five  hundred  and  seventv-four  members,  of  whom  two  hundred  and 

«/ 

ninety-six  united  bv  letter  and  two  hundred  and  seventy-eiorht  by  ex- 
amination.  Since  the  present  pastorate  commenced  (Dec.  1,  1870.) 
there  have  been  received  two  hundred  and  thirty-seven — one  hundred 
and  forty-six  by  letter  and  ninety-one  on  profession.  The  present 
membership  is  two  hundred  and  eighty-seven. 

During  the  first  six  years  after  the  organization  of  the  church 
they  were  without  a  house  of  worship,  and  held  their  services  some¬ 
times  in  the  log  court  house  which  stood  on  the  ground  now  occu- 
])ied  by  the  building  of  the  Banking  and  Trust  Company,  sometimes 
over  a  store  standing  where  E.  B.  Martin’s  block  now  stands,  on  tl:e 
south  side  of  the  public  square,  sometimes  in  a  building  on  the 
corner  of  North  and  Hazel  streets,  now  a  vacant  lot.  But  with  great 
personal  sacrifice  they  erected  on  the  lot  where  the  building  now 
stands,  it  being  a  part  of  the  homestead  of  father  Kingsbury,  their 
first  church  building  in  1835.  This  is  supposed  to  have  been  the 
second  Presbyterian  church  built  on  the  east  side  of  the  State.  It  is 


IG 


supposed  that  they  procured  the  first  church  bell  which  w'as  ever 
brought  up  the  Wabash,  and  the  second  in  the  State.  This  church  build¬ 
ing  w^as  used  for  all  public  gatherings  in  the  village  for  many  years. 
It  was  used  also  as  a  school  room,  being  divided  by  a  movable  parti¬ 
tion  into  two  rooms.  In  this  building  the  church  enjoyed  great  com¬ 
fort  and  prosperity  until  the  growTb  of  the  church  and  the  town  re- 
(juired  the  erection  of  the  present  more  commodious  church  edifice. 
The  subscription  for  the  erection  of  the  present  edifice  was  com¬ 
menced  in  November,  1856,  but  the  subscription  raised  at  that  time 
b?ing  insufficient,  it  was  .suspended  until  May,  1858,  when  it  w^as 
a  rain  circulated  by  Mr.  Richard  T.  Leverich,  and  carried  up  to  $i,- 
125,  when  it  was  resolved  to  build.  The  largest  subscription  to  the 
building  fund  was  $il,000,  made  by  elder  James  M.  Culbertson.  The 
board  of  trustees  at  the  time  of  building  the  present  edifice,  were 
Benjamin  Crane,  Levin  T.  Palmer  and  William  M.  Payne.  Tin? 
building  was  erected  and  enclosed,  and  so  far  finished  as  to  allow^  the 
basement  to  be  occupied  in  October,  1850,  and  was  finished  and  fi¬ 
nally  dedicated  on  the  24th  of  December,  1865,  on  which  occasion 
the  sermon  of  dedication  was  preached  by  Dr.  .Joseph  F.  Tiitth^ 
])resident  of  Wabash  College. 

Elder  .lames  M.  Culbertson,  who  died  in  July,  1864,  hift  a  b(‘- 
({uest  of  82,000  to  be  expended  in  the  purchase  of  a  library,  one-lialf 
of  which  was  for  the  permanent  use  of  the  church  and  the  other  half 
f  )r  the  use  of  the  town  upon  certain  conditions,  the  library  to  be 
one  and  under  the  care  of  the  church  until  such  conditions  should  l)e 
complied  with  by  the  people  of  the  town.  The  library  was  selected 
and  set  up  by  a  committee  chosen  under  the  instructions  of  the  be- 
(paest,  consisting  of  Revs.  Enoch  Kingsbury  and  Chas.  P.  Felch,  and 
Elders  James  P.  Brown,  William  P.  Chandler,  Benjamin  Crane  and 
E.  H.  Palmer.  The  library  w^as  selected  with  unusual  good  judg¬ 
ment,  and  for  several  years  was  used  with  great  profit  by  the  congn'- 
gation. 

The  organ  was  obtained  by  the  efibrts  of  the  ladies  of  tlie  con¬ 
gregation,  under  the  very  earnest,  persevering,  efficient  and  self-sac¬ 
rificing  leadership  of  Mrs.  Dr.  W.  H.  H.  Scott,  to  whom  the  church 
and  congregation  will  ever  be  grateful. 


17 


The  parsonage  was  bought  of  Col.  Win.  P.  Chandler  in  Xov.  ISdO, 
at  an  expense  of  S4,000.  Tlie  contributions  to  the  great  benevolent 
work  of  the  church  have  been  quite  uniform  and  comparatively  liberal, 
though  there  are  no  records  of  her  benevolent  contributions  farther 
back  than  the  present  jiastorate.  Since  the  settlement  of  the  present 
pastor  these  contributions  have  amounted  to  ^7,530.80  ;  for  congre¬ 
gational  purposes  for  the  same  period,  including  salaries,  purchase  of 
parsonage,  repairs  and  current  expenses,  $31,058. 

It  is  matter  of  profound  gratitude  to  our  heavenly  Father  that 
during  these  fifty  years  there  have  been  no  great  calamities  to  inter¬ 
fere  with  the  general  prosperity,  no  personal  or  domestic  discords 
and  strife  to  break  the  peace  of  the  church.  Brotherly  love  contin¬ 
ues,  and  with  the  same  benign  and  gracious  providences  to  favor  our 
temporal  prosperity"  and  a  consistent  consecration  of  ourselves  to  the 
spiritual  growth  and  development  of  our  membership,  we  shall  con¬ 
tinue  to  be  the  pillar  and  ground  of  the  truth,  to  the  great  joy  and 
peace  of  our  posterity  and  to  the  material  and  religious  prosperity  of 
our  city. 


HISTORY  OF  THE 


# 

SABBATH  SCHOOL. 

KV  EKEN  II.  PALMER. 


It  would  be  exceedino-ly  pleasant  to  me  to  present  to  you  to-day, 
on  this  anniversary  occasion,  the  varied  and  successive  steps  of  the 
Sabbath  school  work  of  this  church  from  its  infancy  to  the  })resent. 
But  I  shall  have  to  Idc  satisfied  with  o-ivino-  such  o-leanino’s  as  tlie  memo- 
rv  of  a  few  and  the  very  incom])lete  and  scanty  records  of  the  school  fur- 
nish.  At  the  commencement  of  the  school  such  a  thino>  as  a  record  of 
its  proceedings  Avas  not  inaugurated,  and  for  the  past  thirty  j’ears  M’hat 
I’ccord  was  made  has  been  almost  entirely  lost,  so  that  tlie  school  to¬ 
day  is  witliout  any  cominlete  liistory  of  its  doino-s.  I  shall  thei’cfore,  in 
the  discliaro-e  of  this  duty  allotted  to  me,  be  necessarily  l)rief. 

Father  Kino-sbury,  some  years  before  his  death,  \vrote  out  a  br  ief 
article  entitled,  “  The  early  history  of  Sabbath  Schools  in  Danville.’’ 
to  which  I  am  indebted  for  some  facts  M’hich  I  jrresent  to-day.  In 
this  he  states  that  the  Sabbath  school  was  ooened  in  the  year  1828, 

X  *J 

and  that  Lemuel  Tomlinson,  who  a  short  time  preyious  came  to  this 
])lace  from  the  State  of  New  York,  was  the  principal  one  in  the  es- 
tablishino-  of  the  school.  He  was  the  founder  of  the  school  and  may 
be  rightly  designated  as  the  first  superintendent,  although  not  elect¬ 
ed,  as  now  is  the  custom,  to  the  office.  He  was  yery  actiye  and  de¬ 
voted  in  the  work,  and  not  only  organized  this  school  but  also  started 
two  other  schools,  one  at  Brooks’  Point  and  another  about  two  miles 
south  of  here.  This  last  school  he  was  obliged  to  give  up,  inasmuch 
as  they  would  not  allow  him  to  open  the  school  with  prayer.  They 


10 


were  willing  that  the  children  should  be  taught  to  read,  but  had  no 
desire  or  wish  for  religious  instruction.  This  probably  was  a  type  of 
in.iny  of  the  settlements  at  an  early  date. 

The  first  Sabbath  school  was  held  in  what  was  then  the  court 
house,  which  was  on  the  corner  where  now  stands  the  banking  house 
(jf  the  Danville  Banking  and  Trust  Company.  Not  having  any  ])er- 
manent  abiding  place,  it  was  afterwards  moved  to  the  second  story  of 
the  old  frame  building  which  stood  where  now  is  E.  Ik  iMartirrs  brick 
block.  This,  however,  was  not  the  end  of  its  pilgrimage.  We  find 
it  next  occupying  what  many  of  us  have  been  accustomed  to  call  the 
old  log  school  house,  which  was  situated  on  the  west  side  of  Franklin 
street,  where  now  stands  Dr.  Brown’s  residence.  As  far  as  I  can  as¬ 
certain  the  school  remained  here  until  the  Presbyterian  church, 
erected  in  1834,  was  opened  for  worship  and  for  the  use  of  the  school, 
ddiis  was  the  first  permanent  abiding  place  the  school  had,  and  here 
it  continued  until  this  house  was  lauilt.  The  school  in  its  ])eginnin.g 
numbered  about  twenty  in  all,  scholars  and  teachers,  and  was  com- 
})Osed  almost  entirely  of  the  families  of  Solomon  Gilbert,  .Tosiah  Alex¬ 
ander  and  Asa  R.  Palmer.  One  who  was  a  member  of  that  school  is 
here  with  us  to-dav. 


In  the  year  1830  Walter  Clark,  from  Pennsylvania,  came  here 
and  took  an  active  part  in  the  Sabbath  school,  in  conjunction  with 
Mr.  Tomlinson.  Mr.  Tomlinson  died  in  1830  and  Mr.  Clark  in  1831. 
After  the  death  of  Mr.  Tomlinson  the  school  was  left  in  charge  of  mv 
father,  Asa  R.  Palmer,  who  continued  to  be  its  leader  until  the  or¬ 
ganization  of  the  Union  Sabbath  School,  concerning  which  I  will 
speak  in  proper  place.  After  the  school  had  been  in  progress  a  year 
or  so  there  came  to  its  assistance  others,  who  in  the  tide  of  emigra¬ 
tion  located  here.  Among  these  were  two  sisters  of  Gurdon  S. 
Hubbard.  They  came  into  the  school  and  rendered  yaluable  assist- 

t/ 

ance  as  teachers.  One  of  these  ladies  had  in  her  class  two  Indian 
boys,  one  the  son  of  a  prophet,  the  other  the  son  of  a  chief.  It  would 
to  us  now  present  a  yery  novel  scene.  Mr.  Kingsbury  also  relates 
that  during  the  summer  of  1831  a  few  Pottawottamie  Indians,  who 


20 


inhabiteel  this  region,  attended  the  Sabbath  scdiool,  and  seemed  quite 
interested  in  knowino-  somethino;  of  the  relio'ion  of  the  Bible. 

Durino-  the  year  1831,  a  few  months  after  Mr.  Kino-sbury  came 
here  and  commenced  ]:)reaching,  our  church  united  with  the  Metho¬ 
dist  families  of  the  place  and  organized  a  Union  Sabbath  School. 
This  at  that  time  was  deemed  best  for  the  good  of  the  cause,  ihere 
not  being  sufficient  material  to  0]:)erate  with  success  two  schools. 
This  school,  I  am  informed,  was  conducted  by  my  brother,  E.  F.  Pal¬ 
mer,  and  sustained  and  kept  in  operation  by  the  more  actiye  members 
of  the  t'.vo  different  denominations,  they  not  only  send! no-  their  chil- 
dren  but  attendino-  themselves. 

O 

Another  incident  is  related.  A  colored  woman  was  brouo-ht  into 

O 

the  school  and  learned  to  spell  and  read  a  little.  AVhen  she  had 
learned  enough  to  spell  the  name  of  Jesus,  she  exclaimed  in  her  joy, 
“  O,  missus,  I'se  so  glad  I  can  spell  Jesus.” 


Darino'  these  days  of  the  infancy  of  the  school  it  was  not  num- 
bered  among  the  popular  institutions,  and  even  sneered  at  by  some, 
looking  upon  it  as  a  very  foolish  affair.  There  were  even  some  who 
called  themselves  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  who  arrayed  themselves 
against  it  and  endeavored  to  bring  it  into  disrepute. 


ddie  instruction  of  the  early  school  was  entirely  different  from 

c  •. 

the  present,  being  yery  simple  and  without  yariety.  The  time  wr  s 
mostly  occupied  in  teaching  those  to  read  who  could  not  read,  and  in 
readino-  verse  about  in  the  Testament  with  those  who  could  reed. 
Question  books  had  not  then  come  into  use,  the  teachers  asking  such 
questions  and  making  such  comments  as  they  saw  })roper.  Singing 
did  not  form  an  inspiring  element  of  the  school  then.  No  sweet 
songs  adapted  to  the  young  had  begun  their  course  of  ]iower  and  in¬ 
fluence.  The  old  church  psalmody  and  metre  was  all  there  was  to 
wake  up  the  young  heart  to  praise  and  melody.  But  notwithstand¬ 
ing  all  these  now,  to  us,  seeming  adveisities  of  th.ose  times,  eternity 
only  will  I’eveal  the  influence  for  o-ood  in  withholdino-  those  childnm 
and  youth  from  pernicious  ])ractices,  and  in  directing  their  footste])s 
in  the  ])aths  of  virtue  and  usefulness. 


21 


The  first  library  the  school  had  was  procured  iVorii  the  American 
Sunda}^  School  Union.  It  was  a  ten  dollar  lil^rary.  The  school  rais¬ 
ed  and  paid  five  dollars  and  the  Sunday  School  Union  contributed 
the  other  five  dollars.  This  to  the  school  w-as  quite  an  event,  and 
probably  more  highly  prized  than  our  more  expensive  and  elaborate 
library  of  the  present  day,  imparting  to  the  scholars  new  life  and  in¬ 
terest.  It  was  from  this  librarv  that  I  obtained  my  first  Sundav 
school  literature,  and  although  they  were  books  which  the  average 
Sunday  school  scholar  of  these  days  would  pass  by  without  any  re¬ 
gard  or  attention,  yet  they  contained  within  their  plain  binding  and 
covers  instruction  better  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  soul  than  most 
of  the  beautifullv  adorned  books  that  are  no'.v  so  eaccerlv  souj^ht  after 
in  our  modern  libraries. 


The  special  entertainments  which  are  now  provided  for  the  grati¬ 
fication  of  the  school,  and  for  which  the  vouner  look  with  such  interest, 
were  not  known  forty  years  ago.  But  there  was  a  practice  which 
was  continued  several  years,  of  having  a  Sunday  school  celebration  on 
the  4th  of  July,  selecting  as  the  orator  of  the  day  some  be>3^  of  the 
school  and  some  one  to  read  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  In¬ 
terspersed  with  these  exercises  were  music  and  other  things  to  enliven 
the  occasion,  ending  with  a  good  dinner. 

After  the  Union  Sabbath  School  had  been  sustained  about  ten 
years  the  Methodist  church  organized  a  Sabbath  school  of  their  own, 
taking  with  them  a  large  number  of  the  school,  inasmuch  as  their  de- 
nomination  was  the  most  numerous. 

In  consequence  of  this  division  our  church  was  left  with  but  a 
small  number  to  commence  again  as  a  denomination  their  school. 
The  life  and  operation  of  the  school  became  de})endent  upon  Mr. 
Kingsbur}^  and  some  of  the  older  persons  of  the  church,  whom  we 
have  heretofore  mentioned  as  aiding  in  its  prosperity.  There,  how¬ 
ever,  came  to  their  relief  in  the  course  of  a  short  time  valuable  as¬ 
sistance  from  some  who  were  engaged  as  teachers  in  the  day  school. 
Prominent  among  these  were  J.  K.  Morse,  Miss  C.  E.  Bo  we  and  Mrs. 
Eleanor  Miller.  The  earnest  devotion  of  Mrs.  Miller  I  shall  never 


22 


forget.  Her  marked  piety  and  untiring  energy  in  the  school  I  shall 
always  remember.  She  was  a  lady  whose  heart  was  in  every  good 
work,  and  not  afraid  to  advocate  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness, 
either  in  or  out  of  school.  But  these  and  other  persons  who  from 
time  to  time  came  to  our  aid,  one  by  one  left  our  village,  and  seem¬ 
ingly  leaving  the  school  in  a  very  feeble  condition,  and  requiring  it 
again  to  be  kept  in  life  and  continuance  by  those  who  had  so  long- 
been  its  stay  and  suj)port. 

After  this  the  greater  burden  and  responsibility  of  maintaining 
the  school  came  to  rest  with  iMr.  Kingsbury  and  wife,  until  help  came 
ill  the  maturitv  of  some  who  had  in  their  early  davs  been  scholars. 

V  ^  kJ  ' 

but  coming  into  the  fellowship  of  the  church,  also  came  to  the  labors 
of  the  Sabbath  school.  Among  these  were  Miss  Emma  Alexander 
and  Miss  Clara  Palmer.  They,  together  with  Mrs.  Kingsbury,  work¬ 
ed  amid  many  discouragements,  serving  in  every  capacity  necessary 
f  ir  the  interest  of  the  school,  having  sometimes  to  open  the  school 
themselves  witli  prayer,  there  being  no  male  member  of  the  churcli 
])  resent. 

About  the  vear  ISdS  there  came  to  the  aid  of  the  school,  in 
the  person  of  James  M.  Culbertson,  one  who  imparted  new  life  and 
energy  to  the  cause.  From  this  time  the  school  began  to  prosper, 
and  increased  rapidly  its  numbers.  Previous  to  this  time  there  had 
never  been  any  regularly  elected  superintendent.  Mr.  Culbertson  was 
the  first  person  elected  to  fill  that  office,  and  for  some  time  was  not 
only  the  sinierintendent,  but  the  main  support  of  the  school,  giving 
Tint  only  his  time,  but  means  in  abundance.  He  was  endowed  with 
that  ]ieculiar  executive  ability  that  gave  him  the  full  confidence  of, 
and  control  over,  all  in  connection  with  the  school.  Firm  and  deci¬ 
ded  in  all  his  convictions  of  what  was  right,  he  would  never  compro¬ 
mise  principle  in  the  interest  of  any  policy.  He  left  nothing  undone 
which  he  could  do  to  make  the  school  interesting  and  attractive,  often 
giving  entertainments  to  the  school  at  his  own  expense.  Under  his 
leadership  the  school  was  first  provided  with  a  full  corps  of  officers, 
and  established  monthly  concerts  and  teachers’  meetings.  He  ha  1  a 


remarkable  faculty  of  pressing  into  service  every  availa])le  perscn 
and  enlisting  even  the  most  timid  into  prominent  work  and  Ijringing 
them  to  feel  at  home  in  the  school. 

At  the  time  he  took  charge  of  the  school,  as  before  mentioned, 
the  church  being  feeble  and  few  in  numbers,  it  seemed  necessary  to 
go  outside  of  the  church  to  supply  the  existing  demand  for  teachers. 
In  consequence  of  which  many  who  were  not  professors  of  religion, 
but  bearing  a  goo<l  moral  character,  were  from  time  to  time  employed 
as  teachers.  The  result  of  this  experiment  in  the  emergency  ©f  that 
time  proved  very  gratifying,  inasmuch  as  a  large  majority  of  those 
who  remained  with  us  afterwards  come  to  profess  tlieir  faith  in  Christ 
and  became  useful  members  of  some  orthodox  church. 

For  some  time  before  his  death,  Avhich  occurred  in  1801,  ]Mr. 
Culbertson  became  an  invalid  and  was  away  from  the  city  much  of 

t/ 

the  time.  But  wheneyer  here,  and  in  suitable  health,  he  was  always 
in  the  Sabbath  school.  The  school  at  his  death  lost  a  yaluable  friend 
and  an  earnest  worker,  he  haying  often  times  in  the  hour  of  its  need 
come  to  its  assistance. 

Between  the  years  1848  and  1800,  besides  Mr.  Cul])ertson,  the 
office  of  superintendent  was  filled  respectiyely  by  Mr.  Cooley,  A.  E. 
Howe,  N.  A.  Prentiss,  John  Jones,  Dr.  Hubbard,  A.  D.  Strong,  Col. 
Win.  P.  Chandler  and  Eben  H.  Palmer.  Of  this  number  all  are  still 
living  except  Cooley,  Jones  and  Hubbard.  Jones  died  in  1857  and 
Dr.  Hubbard  in  1858. 

Of  those  who  have  served  the  school  as  officers,  and  not  hereto¬ 
fore  mentioned,  I  call  to  mind  the  followino; : 


SUPERIXTENDEXTS. 


Mr.  Seymour, 
J.  W.  Stark, 
W.  P.  Black, 


J.  P.  Brown,  A.  Sargent, 

C.  B.  Holloway,  J.  L.  McNair, 

Geo.  B.  Yeomans,  C.  M.  Taylor, 


J.  E.  Field. 


^4 


ASSISTANT  SUPERINTENDENTS. 


S.  Fosselman, 

J.  P.  Brown, 

J.  G.  Kinorsburv, 


A.  A. 


E.  H.  Palmer, 
Dr.  Field, 
James  Risk, 
McDonald. 


Charles  Wall, 

C.  B.  Hollowar.- 

*/  '' 

John  Lane, 

J.  E.  Field. 


SECRETARIES. 


E.  H.  Palmer, 

R.  C.  Nichols, 

R.  McCormack, 

S.  D.  Kingsbury, 
John  Lane, 


M.  R.  ^yright, 
Frank  Gilbert, 
A.  Mathews, 

A.  A.  McDonald, 
Samuel  Merrill, 


Frank  N.  Palmer. 


N. 


William  Martin, 
J.  H.  Palmer, 
Will.  Watson, 
George  Palmer, 
Ernest  Steen, 

F,  Kimball. 


TREASURERS. 


3Iiss  Prince, 

Miss  Belle  Murphy, 


Mrs.  Annie  M.  Swan, 
R.  McCormack, 

Miss  Belle  Gilbert. 


T.  M.  Prince. 
C.  E.  Crane, 


LIBRARIANS. 


William  Forbes, 

^L  R.  Wright, 

J.  B.  Mann. 


Charles  Rust,  R.  C.  Nichols, 

E.  H.  Palmer,  C.  J.  Palmer, 

Charles  E.  Crane. 


There  are  no  doubt  some  others  whom  I  have  failed  to  remem - 
iier.  If  so,  it  is  for  want  of  anything  to  refresh  my  mind.  Should 
be  pleased  had  I  been  able  to  obtain  a  full  and  complete  list  of  all 
tlie  officers.  Of  these  all  are  living  as  far  as  we  know  except  T.  M. 
Pi  ince,  Wm.  Forbes,  A.  Sargent,  Charles  Wall,  Frank  M.  Gilbert,. 
Samuel  Fosselman  and  Miss  Belle  Murph}-  (late  Mrs.  J.  W.  Wliite). 

Durinix  the  last  thirtv  vears  we  have  had  manv  faithful  teachers, 
who  have  been  with  us  for  a  time  and  then  removed  to  other  places, 
enterins:  with  the  same  zeal  and  earnestness  into  the  work  with  those 
with  whom  their  lot  was  cast. 


In  tho  only  records  vvliich  I  find,  embracing  tlic  years  from  1807 
to  1870,  inclusive,  it  appears  that  the  average  attendance  of  these 
years  was  as  follows  :  1807,  155  ;  1808,  100;  1800,  151;  1870,  125. 
The  averao:e  attendance  durino-  the  last  twenty  or  twentv-five  years, 
I  think,  has  not  varied  much.  Sometimes  more  and  other  times  less. 

Twenty  years  ago  there  were  but  two  Sabbath  schools  in  the  city 
— ours  and  the  Methodist.  But  as  our  city  has  grown  other  churclu'S 
have  come  into  existence  which  have  established  their  schools,  necessa¬ 
rily  takino’  some  from  our  ranks  as  well  as  from  other  schools. 

O 

Throuijhout  the  whole  history  of  the  school  there  has  been  mani- 
tested  great  unanimity  of  feeling,  good  will  and  charity.  Officers 
and  teachers  have  worked  together  in  harmony.  With  us  there  have 
oftentimes  been  many  of  other  denominations  giving  us  the  hel]:)ing 
hand  and  toilino:  to  do  o'Ood. 

The  long  line  of  influences  which  has  been  developed  through 
this  half  century  of  Sabbath  school  work,  time  will  never  reveal.  The 
little  ball  set  in  motion  in  1828  has  rolled  alono’  each  successive  year 
through  difficulties  and  over  obstacles,  sometimes  moving  slowly,  and 
then  again  more  rapidly,  until  to-day  it  appears  in  the  accumulated  ac¬ 
quisitions  of  fifty  years,  with  a  strength  and  power  we  need  not  be 
ashamed  of,  verifying  to  us  the  fact  that  God  watches  with  careful 
eye  over  the  labors  of  his  children.  While  we  may  rejoice  to-day  in 
the  })rivileges  we  enjoy,  let  us  remember  that  the  glory  of  all  this 
work  is  due  to  the  kind  care  of  Him  who  has  watered  the  seed  sown 
by  the  wayside  and  given  it  its  increase. 

Before  closing,  there  is  oiie  fact  in  the  history  of  the  school  1 
wish  to  bring  to  notice,  viz  ;  Those  persons  who,  with  their  families, 
(;om])rised  the  first  school  and  were  its  stay  and  main  support  have 
not  been  without  some  representative  in  the  persons  of  their  descend¬ 
ants  from  then  to  the  present  time.  And  to-day  there  are  numbered 
among  us  in  the  pale  of  the  Sabbath  school,  sons  and  daughters, 
gi’and  children  and  great-grand  children,  of  those  whose  names  are 
first  on  our  chui’ch  roll,  and  whose  hearts  were  first  in  the  work  of 


26 


establishiijg  the  feet  of  the  young  in  the  paths  of  righteousness. 
These  names  will  appear,  and  history  given,  in  the  papers  which  fol¬ 
low,  but  their  memories  will  be  sacred  to  those  who  knew  them  best. 

I,  and  many  others  here,  will  not  witness  the  return  of  another 
such  anniversary.  Some  of  our  children  may.  I  hope  they  will. 

I  feel  constrained,  in  behalf  of  our  school,  to  congratulate  these 
our  friends  who  witnessed  and  took  part  in  our  early  school,  that  a 
kind  Providence  has  preserved  them  to  be  with  us  to-da}'.  You,  no 
doubt,  in  your  minds  wander  back  to  the  scenes  of  the  long  past,  and 
there  comes  to  vour  memory  afresh  the  recollection  of  those  who  with 
you  sat  in  Christian  love  and  fellowship,  and  with  open  Bible  sought 
to  direct  the  footsteps  of  a  few  in  the  paths  of  safety.  And  while 
you  mingle  with  us  in  the  joyous  outcome  of  this  small  beginning,  I 
doubt  not  there  comes  to  you  a  feeling  of  sadness  as  you  look  around 
and  see  that  that  little  company  are  all  gone  and  you  alone  are  left  to 
I’epresent  the  pioneer  school.  Notwithstanding  this,  there  cannot  but 
remain  with  you  the  satisfaction  that  the  wilderness  has  been  made  to 
l)lossom  as  the  rose,  and  that  they  who  “  have  ended  life’s  lirief  story 
have  reached  the  home  of  glory,  over  death  victorious,  while  you  on 
the  river  sailing  fast,  will  meet  them  forever  on  more  holy,  hapjiy 
ground.”. 

In  conclusion,  let  us  who  are  to-day  enjoying  the  blessings  which 
flow  down  from  that  little  company’s  faith,  resolve  that  with  cheerful 
hearts  and  ever- willing  hands,  we  will  work  for  God  and  h'llo'.v  his 
vommands,  resting  assured  that 

“  ’Tis  the  faithful  souls  that  reap  the  bright  reward 
in  the  coming  of  the  Lord.” 


REMINISCENCES  OF 


Rev.  Enoch  Kingsbury. 

KV  .AJR.S.  ANNIE  .M.  SWAN. 


Enoch  Kinosbury  was  born  in  Eanotlon,  X.  II  ,  in  1800.  His 
parents  were  natives  of  Tollarul,  Ct.,  and  when  this  son  was  Init  a 
lad  retraced  their  steps  as  far  as  to  Ainlierst,  Mass.,  where  they  re* 
niained  permanently.  Livino^  in  the  immediate  vi(*inity  of  the  cob 
lege,  the  subject  of  our  sketch  did  not  fail  to  profit  by  such  advanta¬ 
ges  as  are  open  to  all  who  chose  to  avail  themselves  of  them.  Ulti¬ 
mately  he  entered  Amherst  college,  graduating  in  the  class  of  ’27. 
13y  teaching  and  doing  what.soever  his  hands  found  to  do,  he  had  thus 
far  wrought  out  his  own  way.  Now,  being  desirous  of  entering  tlie 
ministry,  and  giving  unusual  promise  of  Christian  usefulness,  the 
Education  Society  ”  assisted  in  his  course  at  Auburn  Theological 
SeminarvN  Here,  as  many  times  before,  was  foreshadowed  the  future. 
Going  home  at  vacation  he  started  on  foot,  a  distance  of  two  to  three 
hundred  miles,  getting  on  with  such  occasional  rides  as  in  those  days 
were  not  infrequent. 

While  at  Auburn  he  suffered  from  that  couo’h  which  followed 
him  through  life.  The  faculty,  fearing  that  his  days  of  service  were 
to  be  few,  recommended  an  early  license  to  preach  as  a  mutual  ad¬ 
vantage,  the  destitute  churches  profiting  by  his  labors  and  himself 
gaining  by  the  more  active  life.  But  health  was  not  so  easily  won  ; 
and  so  in  sornpany  with  George  Washington  Lane  and  James  Brain- 
ard  Taylor,  those  two  young  men  of  rare  gifts  and  Christian  graces, 
lie  went  South,  Mr.  K\s  case  seeming  the  most  critical  of  the  three, 


ret  Be  alone  survivino-  and  ever  esteeinlno:  it  amono'  his  choicest 
privileges,  that  of  ministering  to  the  .comfort  of  those,  his  compan¬ 
ions  in  sufFei-ing,  and  witnessing  their  sweet  resignation,  yea,  exult¬ 
ant  joy^  as  earth  receded. 

Ready  to  embrace  any  opportunity  for  usefulness  or  improve¬ 
ment,  he  connected  himself  wjth  the  Union  Theological  Seminary  of 
\drginia,  while  it  seemed  best  he  should  remain  South,  After  his 
return  to  Massachusetts  he  preached  to  several  churches  in  that  State^ 
and  was  invited  to  settle  at  Grar.by,  but  declined  acceptance. 

In  Xovember,  1830,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Fanny  Goodwin,  of 
Simsburv,  Connecticut,  and  to2:ether  they  left  for  a  home  in  the  west, 
^Ir.  K.  under  appointment  of  tlie  American  Home  Missionary  Socie¬ 
ty.  Southern  Indiana  was  in  view  as  a  location,  but  Providence  had 
other  desio’us.  Arrivino’  bv  boat  at  Cincinnati  Saturdav  niolit,  thev 
left  the  boat  to  pass  the  Sabbath  there.  By  mistake  a  lawyer  on 
board  took  tlie  box  of  theological  books,  leaving  in  return  his  box  of 
law  books,  so  they  decided  to  take  the  next  boat  and  pursue.  Making 
a  brief  stop  at  Madison,  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson  strongly  urged  their  go¬ 
ing  up  the  Wabash.  As  the  boat  was  bound  thither,  they  yielded  to 
liis  advice,  arriving  at  Eugene  about  Chrit^tmas.  A  few  days  after. 
Mr.  Solomon  Gilbert  called  on  them  and  earnestlv  besought  them  to 
come  to  Danville.  Mr,  K.  came  up  and  preached  the  second  Sal)- 
bath  in  .lanuarv,  1831,  but  did  not  remove  hither  till  tlie  year  follow- 
ing. 


The  lot  on  which  both  churcli  and  parsonage  were  built  was- 
(‘arly  secured  by  him  for  that  purjiose.  AVe  well  remember  the  fare¬ 
well  services  in  that  church  during  Mr.  Palmer’s  pastorate,  Mr.  K, 
giving  an  historical  discoui'se.  At  the  close  Mr.  Jesse  Gilbert,  then 
aged  and  inhrm,  arose  and  said  *,  “  1  may  not  be  able  to  make  you 
hear  me,  but  I  wish  to  sav'  that  while  what  Air.  K.  has  said  is  true, 
there  is  also  much  true  that  lie  has  not  said  ;  that  mostly  lie  built 
this  house  with  his  own  hands  and  on  his  own  land  ;  that  he  jirocured 
the  bell,  usually  rang  it,  liuilt  the  fires,  &c.  This  same  building  was 
used  as  a  sclux:)!  house.  Air.  K.  procuring  teachers,  and,  when  unable 


29 


to  do  so,  teaching  hitiiself.  This,  too,  while  aiding  the  destitute  set¬ 
tlements  in  all  this  re<z:ion,  and  we  al)le  to  render  him  hut  small  com- 
])ensation  (about  a  hundred  dollars  a  year).’’  Such  was  “Lncle  Jes¬ 
se’s”  testimony. 


For  more  than  twenty  years  this  church  was  aided  by  the  Ameri- 

*/  k/ 

can  Home  Missionary  Society,  except  sometimes  when  iMr.  K,  refused 
the  stipend  in  favor  of  greater  need,  as  he  th.ought. 


Between  him  and  the  secretary  of  that  society  the  most  intimatt^ 

V  V 

and  confidential  relations  existed,  not  only  as  regarded  this  church, 
but  in  organizing  others  and  gaining  for  them  supplies  from  the  sn- 
ciety,  they  depending  largely  on  his  judgment  in  such  cases. 


Among  those  churches  he  performed  a  great  amount  of  labor, 
going  those  long  distances,  oyer  bad  roads,  or  no  roads  at  all,  often 
in  the  darkness  and  exposed  to  storms,  sometimes  passing  a  shelter¬ 
less  night,  crossing  swollen  creeks  at  the  expense  of  dry  clothing,  his 
j)reaching  station  often  a  cabin,  subject  to  eyery  annoyance.  \  et 
how  seldom  did  he  sj)eak  of  these  things — neyer  as  hardships. 
these  self-denying  journeys,  often  subject  to  accident,  his  great  me¬ 
chanical  skill  was  frequently  brought  into  exercise — a  skill  always 
available,  whether  as  applied  to  a  broken  harness,  a  buggy  in  the 
slough,  the  improvising  of  a  farming  implement  or  building  a  cai- 
riage. 

Except  utter  })rostration  in  himself  or  sickness  in  his  family,  no 
untoward  circumstances  ever  prevented  his  keeping  an  appointment. 
Yet  who  that  saw  that  slight  furni  and  heard  that  torturing  cough, 
but  would  have  said  :  “ill-chosen  for  a  pioneer  preacher.”  But  just 
here  was,  in  some  measure,  his  strength.  Those  quick  and  delicate 
perceptions  and  ready  sympathies,  won  for  him  an  entrance  to  regard, 
while  his  evident  suffering  enlisted  sympathy.  Then  he  wais  always 
hopeful  and  cheerful,  with  the  ability  to  appear  utterly  obliyious  of 
surroundings,  and  forgetful  of  ease  and  comfort.  To  do  good  to 
these  many  he  must  ayail  himself  of  whateyer  hospitalities  came  in 
his  path.  If  the  liouse  afforded  abundance,  with  luxuries  even,  it 


30 


was  appreciated  ;  if  the  supplies  in  the  cabin  were  meagre,  it  was 
just  as  kindly  received.  A  good  lady,  prizing  these  calls  as  almost 
her  only  religious  privilege,  remarked  that  “  it  was  very  fortunate 
that  Mr.  Kingsbury  usually  preferred  bread  and  milk,  when  very 
(^ften  it  was  the  only  food  in  the  house.”  With  the  elements  of  pow¬ 
er  thus  indicated,  he  was  ready  to  breast  the  wave,  and  could  debark 
at  many  a  port  where  one  of  a  more  pretentious  bearing  would  have 
been  thrust  back. 

Then,  too,  he  was  eminently  a  reformer.  In  the  causes  of  tern- 
})erance  and  anti-slavery  he  was  an  advance  guard,  and  in  the  latter 
when  it  was  extremely  unpopular  to  be  so.  In  those  early  da^’s  of 
comparatively  few  newspapers,  and  any  intercourse  beyond  a  narrow 
circle  very  difficult,  it  was  left  to  the  ]3ublic  speaker  largely  to  mould 
the  public  sentiment.  Xot  only  did  Mr.  K.  use  his  privilege  in  the  usual 
i-outine  of  his  ])rofession,  but  he  was  a  master  in  polemics.  If  there 
came  one  settino’  forth  doctrines  subversive  of  truth  and  rio-hteous- 
ness,  there  followed  a  public  discussion.  The  (juiet  pastor’s  cpiiver  ' 
was  always  full — the  arrows  made  of  truth. 


Given  a  conviction  of  right,  and  though  ‘‘  four  hundred  and 
fifty”  prophets  opposed,  he  would  not  falter  for  an  instant.  Careful 
in  laying  down  his  premises,  he  was  never  off  his  guard  or  taken  at 
a  disadvantage.  Though  cjuick  to  see  and  profit  by  any  weakness  in 
his  opponent,  there  was  not  a  shade  of  triumph,  but  the  arguments 
were  hurled  with  the  coolness  of  the  philosopher.  Mr,  H.  W.  Beck¬ 
with,  among  other  items  for  which  w^e  are  indebted  to  him,  recalls  a 
debate  upon  slavery  in  the  old  church,  tw^o  prominent  citizens  taking 
the  pro-slavery  side  of  the  question.  “  Large  numbers  attended,  and 
it  was  a  matter  of  astonishment,”  adds  our  informant,  “that  one  like 
Mr.  K.  could  be  found  bold  enough  to  advocate  the  “anti”  side  of  the 
(piestion.  It  was  simply  sublime  to  see  him  stand  alone  in  a  cause 
so  obnoxious.  Violence  w^as  often  threatened,  but  never  executed.” 
Ilis  evident  sincerity,  his  perfect  control  of  temper  under  the  most 
vindictive  attacks,  in  great  measure  disarmed  bitterness,  especially  so 
as  to  his  opponents.  In  every  other  relation  he  was  ever  the  affable. 


31 


i)l)ligiiig  friend.  Though  able  thus  “above  himself  to  erect  himself," 
the  rejection  of  truth  and  right  was  not  a  matter  xjf  indifference  to 
him.  Once,  in  a  sermon,  he' borrowed  an  illustration  from  slavery  or 
its  effects.  This  was  a  signal  for  some  to  leave  the  church.  Meeting 
him  soon  after,  the  imjuiry  was  :  “  How  did  you  feel  when  they  left 
you  in  that  way  ?”  “It  matters  little  to  me”;  but  with  a  look  of  in¬ 
describable  sadness,  added,  “How  can  they  treat  the  Savior  so?  calb 
ed  by  his  name,  yet  turning  their  faces  from  what  is  involved  in  his 
tenderest  teachings.” 

This  simple  faith,  this  love  of  righteousness  and  hatred  of  op¬ 
pression  in  whatever  form,  was  nurtured  and  fostered  in  childhood. 
His  father  was  for  many  years  a  deacon  in  the  first  church  at  Am¬ 
herst,  one  whom  even  the  students  regarded  as  a  most  godly  man, 
with  a  wonderful  gift  and  power  in  prayer.  A  sister  of  the  family 
once  remarked  that  the  recollections  of  home  were  never  so  vivid,  so 
pleasant  as  on  Saturday  night.  At  the  motnent  of  sunset  all  labor 
was  suspended,  and  the  large  family  gathered  for  reading,  conversation 
and  instruction — a  preparation  for  the  Sabbath.  Who  can  calculate 
the  good  effects  of  such  an  observance  upon  the  minds  and  habits  of 

a  family  ? 

%/ 

It  may  not  be  inappropriate  here  to  refer  to  another  member  of 
the  family.  Rev.  Nathaniel  Kingsbury,  who,  because  of  loss  of  voice, 
left  a  desirable  pastorate  in  Mount  Vernon,  X.  H.,  and  came  west, 
hoping  the  change  might  be  beneficial,  as  indeed  it  proved,  he  very 
soon  being  able  to  assist  his  brother  both  here  and  at  the  out-stations, 
and  even  for  a  time  to  have  a  charge  in  another  part  of  the  State. 

And  methinks  there  are  some  who  will  ask,  “  Is  there  not  a  word 
for  Mrs.  K.,  his  wife,  who  lies  in  yonder  cemetery?”  A  woman  of 
rare  Christian  culture,  gentle  and  unselfish,  desiring  most  of  all,*  for 
herself  and  others,  a  holy  life. 

To  resume  ;  His  sermons  were  plain  expositions  of  gospel  truth 
— “Christ  and  Him  crucified”  the  ground  of  our  faith;  obedience, 
the  evidence  of  it.  In  these  themes  he  was  alwavs  at  home,  always 

t,  /  V 


reacTy,  althoDgli  he  could  but  seldom  command  the  time  to  write  the 
discourses  of  which  he  was  capable.  However  desirable  it  was,  other 
duties  pressed  in  a  wa^^  that  this  must  yield.  Though  clear  and  sound 
in  Christian  doctrine,  he  was  eminentlv  catholic.  In  his  intercourse 
with  other  denominations  he  had  but  to  know  that  they  were  anchored 
in  the  3d  chapter  of  John,  and  their  clergy  were  bid  welcome  to  hiS' 
jiulpit.  To  the  last  he  was  strongly  attached  to  the  ecclesiastical 
connection  of  his  fathers,  yet  truly  loyal  to  the  church  of  his-  adop- 
tion,  ever  watchful  of  her  purity,  her  interests,  and  seldom  absent 
tVom  her  stated  g’u.therings.  For  nearly  thirty  years  he  vras  clerk  of 
the  AVabash  Presb\'terv.  Mountino”  his  horse  he  would,  in  some  in- 
instances,  ride  across  the  State  to  attend  the  meeting  of  Sniod. 

He  shared  largelj"  in  the  love,  res|>ect  and  confidence  of  his  breth¬ 
ren  in  the  ministry.  His  good  sense,  large  experience,  his  versatility 
and  self-forgetfulness  combined  to  make  Tim  the  wise  and  ready 

counselor  among  his  fellow- workers, 

> 

In  the  cause  of  education  he  ever  took  a  foremost  part,  sparing'^ 
no  pains  to  obtain  good  teachers  and  comfortable  school  rooms,  send¬ 
ing  to  Amherst,  where  he  was  so  well  known,  for  teachers,  as  the 
professors  said,  ‘‘always  aiming  to  get  the  best.”  ^yitness  Mr.  Pren¬ 
tiss,  the  beloved  teaclier,  now  pastor  of  a  Congregational  churcli  in. 
Aurora, 

Illinois  and  Wabash  colleges  shared  lai-gely  in  his  efforts  anti 
sympathies.  The  latter,  especially,  being:  nearer  and  hp,ving  many  of 
1  )anvill.e*'s  sons  in  lier  classes. 


A.S'  a  friend  and  neighbor  he  was  kind  and  faithful,  ministering- 
with  sfreat  tact  and  delicacy  to  the  “  wearv  and  heavy  laden.”  In- 

C_’  c  t/ 

Stance  his  teirder  thoughtfulness  for  n-ood  Mrs.  Pj-ince  and  her  son., 
extending  over  nxire  than  a  geii'eratian  of  years. 


With  very  limited  income  otit  of  which  to  provide  for  his  family 
and  educate  his  children  (and  in  this  he  devised  liberal  things),  yet 
what  case  of  need  or  suffering  ever  went  unaided  from  his  door?  and 
what  cause  of  Christian  beneficence  was  ever  forgertten? 


^3 

With  his  fc‘llo\v-citizcns  the  most  easy  and  ])leasant  relations  ex¬ 
isted.  Going,  man}"  years  since,  to  the  Salt-works,  Mr.  K.  l)eing  one 
of'  the  party,  he  called  attention  to  a  beautiful  wood  and  said  :  “  1  was 
passing  home  this  way  one  Saturday  evening,  noticing  this  lot,  and 
M  rs.  K.  having  just  received  a  little  remittance  from  the  old  home,  T 
decided  to  go  to  the  land  office  Monday  and  secure  it.  The  next 
evening  I  preached  upon  the  4th  commandment.  Monday  morning 
went  to  the  office  and  entered  the  land.  The  business  was  just  fin¬ 
ished  when  Mr.  Daniel  Beckwith  came  in  and  inquired  about  tlx* 
same  land.  Learning  who  had  it,  he  turned  to  me  and  said  :  “Yes¬ 
terday,  contrary  to  my  usual  custom,  I  rode  with  a  friend  into  the 
country  and  observing  that  timber  I  intended  this  morning  to  possess 
it.  I  went  to  church  in  the  evenins:  and  Grot  lashed  for  breakino-  the 
Sabbath  ;  not  content  vvith  that,  you  have  also  taken  my  land.” 

After  more  than  twentv  vears  of  continuous  labor,  Mr.  K.  felt 
that  there  were  those  who  desired  a  new  voice  in  the  pulpit.  Witli- 
out  a  word  he  yielded  his  place,  giving  himself  more  unreservedly  to 
missionary  work.  Whenever  there  was  an  interim  in  the  j)astorate 
his  services  were  always  desired  and  with  ever  increasing  interest. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  K.  received  each  successive  pastor  and  their  fami¬ 
lies  with  the  utmost  cheerfulness  and  cordiality,  unobtrusivelv  aidiim- 
them  as  the  best  of  parishioners,  never  a  particle  of  jealousy  to  mar 
the  intercourse. 

We  call  to  mind  an  evenino-  in  the  old  clmrch  when  Rev.  Mr. 
Palmer  asked  his  opinion  upon  some  measure  under  consideration. 
Mr.  K.  replied  :  “  I  can  tell  you  what  I  think,  but  I  wish  to  do  it  in 
a  way  that  will  leave  you  perfectly  free  to  act  as  you  choose.  I  was 
once,”  added  he,  “  invited  to  settle  over  a  church  wdiere  there  was  an 
aged  pastor  too  infirm  for  its  labors  ;  he  wished  me  to  stay,  and  1 
had  about  made  up  my  mind  to  do  so.  Speaking  of  the  matter  at 
one  time  he  remarked,  ‘you  must  increase,  but  I  must  decrease.’  1 
could  not  stay  and  be  a  constant  witness  of  such  sadness,  decided  so 
at  once,  and  then  and  there  resolved  never  to  be  the  cause  of  a  like 
experience.”  How  faithfully  he  kept  that  resolution  some  ])rescnt 
can  testify. 


From  1853  to  1857  he  made  several  journeys  to  Xew  York,  ta- 
kiiio;  at  each  time  liomeless  children  from  the  various  asvlums,  brino-- 
ing  them  west  and  seeing  them  provided  with  homes.  Several  hun¬ 
dred  were  thus  distributed  in  this  region,  and  he  ever  looked  back 
upon  this  work  with  peculiar  satisfaction. 

In  about  1859  he  went  to  Kansas,  preparatory,  as  he  felt,  to 
removing  there  and  taking  up  his  loved  work  anew.  But  soon  the 
dark  war  cloud  appeared,  and  in  the  momentous  events  that  followed 
lie  was  no  idle  spectator.  ^Yhen  called  to  take  a  last  look  of  Edward 
(you  all  know  what  he  was — how  desirable),  as  the  casket  stood  in  the 
aisle  before  us,  Mr.  Love  said,  “Have  \"Ou  anything  to  add,  Mr.  KV” 
“  Yes,  I  have.  I  had  thought  this  son  to  be  the  staff  of  my  old  age  ; 
h.e  was  very  dear  to  me,  but  I  h^id  rather  see  him  lie  here,  fallen  in 
the  cause  of  freedom,  than  to  have  him  live  and  revel  in  wealth  and 
luxury,  the  fruit  of  unrequited  labor.” 

As  a  mark  of  respect  he  was  given,  during  Mr.  Lincoln’s  presi¬ 
dency,  the  conduct  of  the  Danville  post-office.  And  we  would  not 
forget  a  pleasant  occasion  that  cheered  him  not  a  little  when  his 
friends  surprised  him  b}^  their  presence  in  unusual  numbers,  and  left 
for  him  and  Mrs.  K.  mementos  at  once  useful  and  valuable. 

In  '66  and  ’67,  he  went,  first,  to  Alabama,  and  a  second  time  to 
(reorgia  and  South  Carolina,  under  the  auspices  of  the  American 
Missionary  Association,  to  teach  the  freedmen  and  aid  whoever  he 
might  in  truly  overcoming  their  disabilities.  He-  arrived  out  Satur¬ 
day  night,  preached  Sunday  and  opened  a  school  Monday.  Twice 
he  acted  as  judge  of  elections,  no  other  Union  man  competent  to  do. 
so  daring  to  do  it.  -.Once,  for  the  same  reason,  he  returned  the  ballot, 
going  alone  through  the  woods,  i]o  one  willing  even  to  accom})any  him. 
^Yhile  there  his  correspondence  with  different  papers  was  most  inter¬ 
esting.  Tliose  letters  from  South  Carolina  (read  in  the  light  of  a  ten- 
year’s  history)  seem  very  like  ])ro])liecy. 

He  returned  from  his  last  sojourn  there  in  .Tidy,  1868.  P'inding 
this  church,  so  dear  to  him,  without  a  ])astor  and  somewhat  in  per- 


])Iexity,  his  latest  breath  was  spent  in  her  interests.  Rev.  Mr.  Black, 
of  the  Wabash  Presbytery,  writing  after  his  (Mr.  K.’s)  death,  says  : 
“As  we  were  returning  from  the  meeting  of  Synod  at  Springfield,  I 
thought  he  seemed  particularly  cheerful,  and,  with  all  his  old  enthu¬ 
siasm,  was  arranging  with  me  to  assist  him  a  series  of  meetings  at 
1  )anville  a  little  subse(|uent.” 

But  soon  there  was  evidently  failino-  streno-th.  The  last  sermon  he 

•/  Cj 

preached,  the  Sabbath  but  one  before  his  death,  he  felt  would  be  his 
last.  All  noticed  his  increased  debility.  But  he  had  a  great  desire 
to  preach  on  that  day,  and  did  not  sympathize  with  the  feeling  that 
the  exertion  had  been  too  much.  Thus  serving  actually  to  the  last 
and  among  his  own  people,  the  few  remaining  days  being  but  a  little 
rest  before  he  should  take  his  peaceful,  happy  departure  for  that 
blessed  home  where  the  service  (such  a  delight  to  him  here)  would 
be  evermore  without  weariness. 


REMINISCENCES  OF  DECEASED 


ORIGINAL  MEMBERS. 

r>Y  MRS.  FAXXY  KIXGSBURY. 


In  the  annals  of  our  history  no  event  is  so  luminous,  and  awa- 
kens  such  profound  gratitude,  as  the  organization  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  this  place.  Before  entering  upon  the  contemplation  of  the 
characters  which  formed  the  nucleus  of  this  interesting  body,  we 
shall  be  pardoned  for  lingering  a  few  moments  upon  the  desolate  con¬ 
dition  of  those  disciples  who  found  themselves  in  a  strange  land, 
without  church  privileges  or  ministerial  counsel.  It  was  a  small  band  ; 
few  and  feeble  they  were  ;  nevertheless  they  felt  the  need  ©f  sustain¬ 
ing  grace  and  a  controlling  desire  to  manifest  their  reliance  on  their 
invisible  but  ever-present  Friend.  This  was  motive  sufficient  to  in¬ 
spire  them  Vvith  a  resolution  to  acknowledge  publicly  their  belief 
in  the  power  and  protection  of  their  Creator,  and  their  wish  to  be 
his  and  his  only,  to  conform  to  his  precepts,  and  to  do  his  will. 

\  The  importance  of  their  covenanting  together  in  church  rela¬ 
tionship  is  beyond  human  comprehension.  Its  influence  cannot  be 
measured  in  time  ;  eternity  alone  will  disclose  the  amount  of  its  use¬ 
fulness.  It  has  been  favored  of  God  himself,  been  under  his  especial 
care,  watched  over  and  refreshed  from  time  to  time  by  his  Spirit,  and 
inasmuch  as  his  followers  have  honored  him  by  worshiping  in  his 
temple,  and  calling  themselves  by  his  name,  so  he  blesses  them  by 
his  presence  in  his  house  of  worship)  and  by  their  firesides.  We  can 
imagine  how  forlorn  our  fathers  were,  deprived  of  the  privilege  of 
seatinor  themselves  around  the  table  of  their  Lord,  and  their  desire  oi 


^7 


<00111  in emoratinc:  liis  dvins’  love.  But  this  movement  was  not  for 
tliemselves  alone.  The  little  vine  then  planted  has  g’rovvn  and  spread, 
giving  encouragement  to  many  who  have  passed  avvay,  and  present¬ 
ing  the  lamp  of  life  to  numbers  who  would  have  remained  in  dark¬ 
ness  without  the  knowledge  or  love  of  the  truth.  In  much  weakness 
and  many  discouragements,  its  course  has  ever  been  onward,  ith 
small  additions  from  time  to  time,  in  the  fluctuating  state  of  society 
then  existing,  and  occasional  removals  which  made  inroads  upon  its 
prosjierity,  the  Good  Shepherd  has  been  mindlul  ot  his  flock  ;  and 
thougli  sometimes  almost  desjiairing,  we  may  rejoice  that  its  light  has 
not  been  extinguished,  but  ever  illumined  by  the  star  of  hope.  It  is 
no  less  a  blessing  to  us  that  their  own  souls  were  benefited  by  their 
union  in  Christian  fellowship,  and  we  would  at  this  distant  day  olfer 
■our  praisets  and  thanksgivings  to  the  Great  Head  of  tlie  church  for 
preparing  the  hearts  of  his  children,  and  opening  the  way  for  the  es- 
talilishment  of  his  church  among  us. 

Our  first  elders  were  eminently  men  of  prayer,  of  deep  devotion, 
of  pure  lives  and  honest  purpose,  sincerely  desirous  of  the  enlarge¬ 
ment  of  Christ’s  kingdom,  and  willing  to  make  all  needful  sacrifices 
for  the  accomplishment  of  this  object. 

Dii.  Asa  R.  Pai.mek,  the  first  elder  chosen,  had  sustained  the  same 
relation  in  a  church  in  the  State  of  New^  York,  He  was  one  of  the 
worthy  men  of  earth.  Love  aJid  zeal  in  the  cause  of  his  Master 
were  striking  characteristics  wdiich  marked  his  coui'se.  He  gave  wil¬ 
lingly,  cheerfully,  of  time,  of  money,  of  influence  to  advance  the  in¬ 
terests  of  the  Redeemer’s  kingdom.  His  extensive  reading  and  full 
information  of  the  wants  of  others,  enabled  him  to  bestow  his  bene¬ 
factions  Judiciously  and  in  the  manner  best  calculated  to  accomplish 
the  desired  result.  His  early  home  w'as  in  the  quiet  country  town  of 
Coventry,  Conn.  Few  places  exercise  such  strict  surveillance  over 
the  habits  of  children  as  are  observed  in  that  region.  Parents  and 
teachers  watch  untiringly  over  the  morals  of  those  committed  to  their 
care,  that  improper  literature  may  be  prohibited,  that  biblical  cate¬ 
chisms  and  portions  of  Scripture  be  committed  to  memory,  that  so 


38 


far  as  Is  possible  the  Sabbath  shall  be  faithfully  kept,  worldly  speech 
and  thoughts  discountenanced,  and  the  day  spent  in  stri(;t  obedience 
to  the  4th  comma7idment.  Thus  a  foundation  was  laitl  for  a  charac¬ 
ter  which  should  be  capable  of  moidding  society,  a  power  in  the 
church  and  the  world.  Such  is  ])resuined  to  have  been  the  training' 
of  our  worthy  elder,  from  the  fruits  which  he  exhibited.  In  the  fami- 
ly,  also,  the  influence  extends,  and  the  end  is  not  yet. 

i\lR.  JosiAii  Ai.exaxder,  who  was  an  elder  in  the  first  year  of  the 
organization  of  our  church,  was  a  native  of  the  State  of  Tennes¬ 
see.  He  also  enjcfyed  the  privilege  of  jjious  parentage  and  correct 
moral  trainino'.  In  his  childhood  he  was  led  to  observe  the  habit  of 
h’s  Christian  mother,  who  w’as  accustomed  to  stated  seasons  of  re¬ 
tirement,  which  the  son  rightly  divined  were  spent  in  communion 
with  her  Maker.  The  example  was  not  lost  upon  him.  He  meditated 
upon  it  in  secret,  and  concluded  that  there  must  be  love  and  trust  ii^ 
such  consecration.  This  became  a  means  of  grace  to  him  and  the 
i)lessinos  entailed  by  the  prayers  of  that  mother  in  Israel  are  doubt- 
less  felt  in  this  community  to-day.  The  chara(*ter  of  the  son  was 
moulded  after  so  precious  a  model  that  his  whole  after  life  was  given 
to  his  Maker.  He  w'as  uncommonly  sedate,  walked  as  if  in  the  tear 
of  the  Lord  and  meditating  u])on  his  precepts.  His  whole  appear¬ 
ance  denoted  a  calm  solemnity,  a  fixed  trust,  a  solemn  sense  of  re- 
sponsibility  and  of  the  account  which  would  ere  long  be  required  of 
him.  He  had  early  chosen  the  ways  of  wdsdom,  which  were  to  him 
])leasant  ways.  '  Direct  communication  with  his  heavenly  Father  was 
as  his  meat  and  drink.  Xo  one  who  listened  to  his  juvayers  and  ex¬ 
hortations  could  doubt  his  familiarity  with  his  Friend  in  heaven.  For 
ever}^  service  required  of  him  he  was  always  ready,  and  would  get  so 
near  the  throne  that  w’e  were  often  carried  with  him  almost  to  the 
celestial  gates. 

Mr.  Solomox  Gii.15ERT  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  but  re¬ 
moved  in  early  life  with  his  parents  to  western  New  York,  where  he 
remained  until  settled  in  life,  when,  with  his  rising  family,  he  removed 
to  this  place  in  1828.  Of  Mr.  Gilbert  as  a  citizen  we  would  speak 


hi  tcirns  (if  tlio  liigliest  cdiniiieiKlation.  H-e  Avas  a  ciuiet  man,  sens!' 
ble,  and  thoug-li  of  few  words,  when  his  opinion  was  obtained  it  was 
•of  value.  We  knew  where  to  find  him,  and  that  he  was  on  tlui  right 
side.  From  a  sermon  preached  at  his  funeral  I  gather  some  items 
wh.ich  may  be  of  interest.  With  ns  he  had  his  full  share  of  the  joys 
and  sorrows  of  life.  Without  covetino:  or  strivino-  to  be  rich,  the 
Lord  lilessed  him  in  his  basket  and  his  store  and  gave  him  a  goodly 
heritage.  In  his  family  and  among  his  numerous  relatives  lie  was  pe- 
enliarly  ha])py.  Still  he  svas  not  a  stranger  to  trials  and  hjsses.  Thrice 
hf‘  mourned  the  loss  of  those  lie  had  wedded  for  life  ;  thrice  he  suL 
fered  the  pain  and  sickness  incident  to  nianglei.l  limbs  and  broken 
bones.  But  wlio,  amid  all  these  severe  trials  of  bod\'  and  mind,  saw 
him  dismayed,  murmuring  or  rejiining?  Many  can  bear  testimony  to 
th(‘  Christian  jiatience  and  resignation  Avith  Avhicli  he  passed  the  (mdeal 
of  those  furnaces  of  aflliction.  Tn  the  temper  of  his  mind  he  was  un¬ 
commonly  hap])y.  Lnmoved  by  ordinary  cares  and  disapjiointments, 
in  patience  he  possessed  his  soul,  equally  reimwed  from  high  and  aus- 
ionary  expectations  and  from  h.Av  and  desjAonding  fears.  Ilis  inter¬ 
course  with  mankind  was  always  respectful  and  endearing,  so  tl  at 
liis  friends  were  numerous  and  his  enemies  unknown.  The  ao-ed  re- 
speeded  him,  and  the  young  did  him  reAmrence.  Idberal  in  his  senti¬ 
ments  and  the  distributi(Au  of  his  charities,  he  was  kind  to’  the  poor 
and  indulgent  to  his  family,  for  avIkuii  he  made  ample  provision.  By 
lam-ular  habits,  a  temperate  course  of  life,  and  an  unruffled  state  of 
mind,  he  fille  1  up  the  measure  of  his  days  and  became  an  old  man, 
having  entered  upon  his  three-score  and  tenth  year  without  those 
marks  of  decrepitude  so  often  Ausible  in  much  younger  persons.” 

]Mrs.  Elizabeth  Alexander  Avas  truly  a  helpmeet  for  her  saintly 

husband.  She  aatis  a  pattern  of  good  works,  earnest  in  her  efforts  to 

improve  society.  Her  place  in  the  sanctuary  AA^as  seldom  A^acant. 

She  relished  the  Word  and  Avas  nourished  thereby.  Worldly  follies 

«/  %, 

V 

claimed  no  attention  from  her  Avhose  spirit  AA^as  attuned  to  heaAxnly 
harmonies.  She  Avas  rich  in  faith,  Avalked  in  Avays  of  obedience,  be- 
stoAved  proper  (;are  upon  her  family,  instructing  them  in  the  right 
Avay,  and  haying  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  names  of  her  children 


40 


e'arly  upon  the  church  records,  where  they  are  still  to  be  found.  She* 
was  given  to  hospitality,  and  joyfully  entertained  those  who  came  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord, 

Mrs.  Pa^iela  Tomlixsox  was  a  native  of  Kew  York,  and 
came  to  this  region  with  the  family  of  her  father  in  18:^8.  She  was 
a  daughter  of  Mr.  Solomon  Gilbert,  and  possessed  many  traits  of 
character  resembling  those  of  her  father.  She  was  singularly  calm 
and  quiet.  From  the  unruffled  countenance  which  she  always  pre¬ 
sented  vve  were  led  to  think  that  however  dark  circumstances 
appeared  to  us,  witli  her  there  w'as  perfect  peace.  When  bereft  of 
of  her  life  companions- — which  occurred  more  than  once-— there  was 
the  same  cpiiet  acquiescence  as  when  a  darling  babe  was  removed 
iVom  her  embrace  and  numbered  wdth  the  angels.  The  language  of 
her  deportment  was  then  as  ever,  “It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  as 
seemeth  him  good  not  a  murmur,  not  a  word  of  repining,  not  a 
tear,  unless  shed  in  secret  places.  Placid  as  a  summer  morning  she 
went  al)out  her  daily  duties,  giving  no  sign  of  the  anguish  within. 
Such  faith  and  submission  as  were  hers  few  are  privileg'ed  to  |>osses&. 
She  was  faithful  in  all  things,  worshiped  her  Maker  in  sincerity,  ad¬ 
vocated  his  cause,  and  though  often  under  the  rod  of  affliction,  bore 
herself  serenely  through  all  and  w’-aited  patiently  for  the  hereafter, 
when  in  the  unveiled  light  of  her  Father'^s  house  the  wherefore  should 
be  revealed. 

Miss  Mary  A:s>r  Aleyaxder  was  the  daugfflter  of  Mr.  Josiah 
and  Mrs,  Elizabeth  Alexander,  and  one  who  early  made  choice  of  a 
life  of  devotion  to  the  interests  of  Christ’s  kingdom.  She  gave  cheer¬ 
fully  the  dew  of  her  youth  to  him  w'ho  calls  for  the  service  of  the 
heart,  and  accompanies  it  with  the  promise  of  rest,  of  peace,  of  his 
care  and  protection  while  here,  and  ultimately  of  salvation.  She  had 
'  faith  in  God^s  promises,  trusted  in  his  word,  and  obeyed  his  com¬ 
mands,  She  was  help  and  comfort  to  her  |mrents,  her  choice  was  a 
source  of  satisfaction  to  them,  and  the  consciousness  that  prayer  for 
her  had  been  answ’ered  gave  them  encouragement.  She  was  a  duti¬ 
ful  daughter,  her  conduct  was  exemplary,  she  loved  the  house  of  God, 


41 


and  omitted  no  opportunity  of  giving-  her  testimony  in  favor  of  the 
duty  of  an  early  consecration  to  him  who  is  worthy  of  all  our  powers, 
h^ventually  she  was  honored  as  the  chosen  comj^anioii  of  a  herald  of 
the  cross,  where  her  sphere  of  usefulness  was  enlarged  and  her  capa¬ 
bilities  called  into  exercise  more  fully.  She  left  a  worthy  record,  and 
was  ready  when  the  summons  came  to  enter  upon  her  reward. 

• 

Miss  Si'hmit  Gilueht  was  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Solomon  Gilbert, 
and  united  with  the  people  of  God  in  Rushville,  New  York,  in  com¬ 
pany  with  her  father  and  sisters.  While  in  the  prime  of  life,  when, 
if  ever,  the  world  presents  attractions  peculiarly  enticing  to  the 
vouthful  heart,  she  cast  all  aside  and  took  a  stand  with  those  who 
w(ue  looking  for  a  better  country,  even  a  heavenly.  She  chose  to  be 
numbered  with  those  who  followed  the  Savior,  and  to  give  what  intlu- 
enc-e  she  had  in  favor  of  the  best  of  causes.  She  was  not  seekir.e 
p^ypularity  in  uniting  with  Christian  worshipers.  Without  were  the 
gav  and  thoughtless,  where  her  young  companions  would  gladly  havi- 
retained  her  and  given  her  a  prominent  ])lace  in  their  midst.  But 
their  allurements  were  not  sufficient  to  withdraw  her  allegiance  from 
the  path  of  duty.  She  was  of  a  social  temperament  and  calculaterl 
to  give  zest  to  the  com])any  which  she  favored  with  her  presence.  In 
beino-  useful  in  the  church  and  the  world  lav  her  vocation,  and  noblv 
she  fulfilled  it. 

T.r<  V  Gii.BKirr,  at  the  earlv  age  of  ten  years,  gave  evidence  of  a 
fitness  to  be  numbered  with  God’s  people,  and  was  accordingly  taken 
under  the  care  of  the  chur(;h  in  Rushville,  New  York.  However 
much  she  may  have  desired  the  company  of  the  young,  with  whom 
she  was  a  favorite,  f  believe  I  am  justified  in  saying  that  through  a 
lono-  litb  she  has  found  that  the  choice  of  her  vouno-  heart  has  been 
a  satisfaction  and  a  consolation  through  all  the  wearv  vears  and  varv- 

O  ».  »/  c 

ing  scenes  of  her  pilgiimage.  That  this  church  is  near  her  heart  is 
evidenced  by  th(‘  effort  made  to  be  with  us  at  this  time. 

♦ 


£ 


